PETONE FOOTBALL GROUNDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 134, 2 March 1920, Page 8

PETONE FOOTBALL GROUNDS

LEAGUE PLAI'ERS' CLAIMS

DISCUSSED BY BOROUGH

COUNCIL

The allocation of football grounds for !tho forthcoming season occupied the attention of the Petone Borough Council last night for quite a while, 'there being a difference of opinion between councillors as to tho justice of tho claims of the Petone Leaguo PodtAiall Club for tho use of No. 1 (the best) ground on alternate Saturdays.' Last year tho Rugby footballers had the s.ole use of this ground on tho understanding that .60 per cent, of the "gato" went to the council and 40 per cent, to the club, tho latter providing and paying* tho gatekeepers. They again made application for the use of Nos. 1 and 3 grounds this yeaiv but asked , that the council take over the responsibility of finding and paying the gatekeepers, stating that the. council had received .£lll 18s. out of tho gate-money, while tho club got only £U 12s.

The league's footballers asked, for tlio use of Nos. 1 and 2 grounds on alternate Saturdays, and for the use of one turnstile, so that their own bupportera would • not havo to contribute to the Rugby Club's funds when they went to see a league match, hv support of their claim a deputation waited on the council, and Mr. S. Brice (the spokesman) explained that as they had now a membership . of 93, and expected to have flvo teams playing this year, they thought they had an < equal right to the uso of the oval. Last yhatl found it necessary to play two matches each day on No, 2 ground. On several occasions the Rugby Club had not used the oval, but league enthusiasts had to play on a ground which was under water, because they were not allowed to use the unoccupied ground. They weroprepared to offer the same terms as the Rugby Club, and the sum of £b for either Nos. lor 2. In addition, they sought the use of, a turnstile at tho Recreation Ground, and the use of any other ground tho council could give them. •

The Mayor expressed tho opinion that as the applications for grounds exceeded the number of grounds available, the matter should be left in the hands of the ik'serves Committee, which could meet representatives of the applicants. Councillor Anderson (chairman- of this committee) said the- matter should be settled at once. '

Councillor B. Tovey moved that the Rugby football club bo granted the use of No, 1 ground and the League football club Nos. 1 and 2 grounds on alternate Saturdays when they ha'd i match there, the council to receive 60 per cent, and tho club 40 per cent, of the takings; that the League-. footballers be granted one turnstile; and that St. David's Association Football Club' have the samegrounds as last year. 'He also proposed that No. 3 ground bo given to the Rugby club. He thought this a fair allocation and ivas supported by Councillor • Hay, who, though a member of tho Rugby club, thought the League players had an equal right to tho ground. Councillor Bedingfield , moved an amendment that the nmtter\bo referred to the Reserves Committee. The opinion was expressed that tho finances might be affected by taking the ground from the Rugby players. Councillor Anderson said it\was not a question of finance, but whether '■ the council was .to give tho young players of Petone the right to play which game they pleased.

Considerable discussion ensued, several councillors commenting on what the Rugby club had done last year. Councillor Brocklebank said he regretted to hear this discussion, which secineu to show: that certain councillors were frying to injure the Petone Football Club. Ho objected to putting out tho old players in favour of the newer club. Councillor Cook thought the request of the League club was perfectly reasonable.

Councillor Anderson he iad no wish to see the old club injured in any way.- but maintained that tho other players had. equal right to the use of the grounds.

The amendment that the matter- b# considered by the Reserves Committee was lost, Councillors Cox, Brocklebank, and Bedingfield being, its supporters. Councillor Brocklebank moved that the grounds bo allotted on the same • terms as last year, one turnstile being grantelj to the League club, but in viey of opposition the amendment was withdrawn.

The motion brought forward by Councillor Tovey was carried, and tlie deputation was informed that the League players would have the ground on alternate Saturdays.